‘Walking Dead’ Creator Robert Kirkman Being Sued by Former Collaborator

Even though the on-screen world of “The Walking Dead” is filled with zombies, it seems like the off-screen intrigue is actually more exciting. Now it seems that Robert Kirkman, the creator of the show and the comic book it’s based on, is being sued by an old friend and former contributor over the highly successful AMC series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Anthony Moore — better known to comic fans as “Tony” — is claiming in the suit that he was tricked into signing away his half of the screen rights to the “TWD” comic, and that the deal he got for “net proceeds” doesn’t allow him to access the show’s books to see what exactly those net proceeds are.

THR’s article goes into the nitty-gritty legal details, but the gist of it is this: In 2005, Moore was told by Kirkman’s people that a potential “TWD” television deal would fall through if he didn’t sign away his half of the screen rights to that project, along with a couple of others that he and Kirkman collaborated on. In return, he received 60 percent of the “Comic Publishing Net Proceeds” and 20 percent of the “motion picture net proceeds.” One problem: Kirkman’s side hasn’t issued any statements yet to show what those net proceeds are.

Kirkman’s side called the suit “frivolous,” claiming that Moore isn’t owned any money and that the contract he signed allows them to recoup attorneys’ fees in any legal action, so they’re looking to go after him for those.

Nothing like success to drive a wedge between two longtime friends, huh? Between this and Kirkman having to field questions about Frank Darabont’s departure, we wonder if he’d rather be hiding from zombies than dealing with the living right now.